October 30, 2025

The Government of New Brunswick has signed an agreement with the Government of Nova Scotia to fund 57 English-language training seats in select allied health programs at Dalhousie University. The province will invest $21M over five years to provide NB students with preferred access to programs not currently offered in their home province, including pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and dentistry. “This agreement will create a pipeline of skilled allied health professionals and ensure New Brunswickers can access the care they need,” stated NB Premier Susan Holt. CBC reports that the funding does not require students to work in NB after graduation.

The Justice Institute of British Columbia recently implemented a Professional Training Transfer Credit (PTTC) program that expands credit recognition opportunities. Potential students will be able to receive academic credit for prior job training received through licensed or accredited organizations, as well as military or public service. The program also standardizes how such training is assessed and removes associated fees for eligible learners. JIBC Associate Registrar Lisa Middleton estimates that about 20% of graduates use PTTC, prior learning assessment, and/or transfer credit pathways to complete their programs.

Colleges and Institutes Canada and the Indigenous Institutes of Canada recently issued a joint statement expressing their commitment to working together on several fronts. The partners indicated that they will work together on fronts that include learner mobility, reskilling pathways, and exploring opportunities around credit recognition and removing provincial barriers. “We commit to working together to build bold, sustainable, community-driven, solutions for a stronger and more equitable future,” CICan and IIC stated.

Rental prices near postsecondary institutions have dropped in several Canadian cities following the federal cap on international student enrolment, according to a new report from Rentals.ca. The report authors note that the reduced housing demand corresponds with the decline in new international student arrivals, which fell 69% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. CHEK News reports that cities in British Columbia and Ontario—home to the highest concentrations of international students—saw the largest decreases. In BC, average rents fell by 11.5% in Burnaby, 8.3% in Vancouver, and 8.0% in Victoria, while in ON the province’s average rent dropped by 5.8%.

Hydro-Québec has launched the Alliance des bâtiments exemplaires/Alliance of Exemplary Buildings, an alliance of building-owners that will be working to raise awareness about how to reduce energy consumption. The 25 members include postsecondary institutions such as Concordia University, École de technologie supérieure, McGill University, Université Laval, and Université de Montréal . “To meet our ambitious energy efficiency targets, it is essential to engage all types of electricity consumers—from households to industries, including office towers and commercial buildings,” said Hydro-Québec President Claudine Bouchard. “Through the Alliance of Exemplary Buildings, we are bringing together committed partners who are leading the way toward responsible and innovative electricity use by taking visible action.”

The Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network has announced a pilot project that will provide access to what is reportedly the largest collection of cancer data ever assembled in Canada. Researchers from organizations across Canada—including McGill University, Memorial University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Calgary, and the University of New Brunswick—will gain access to the Gold Cohort data, which includes data from over 11,000 patients. The researchers will test and assess how this data can be used to advance critical cancer research.

York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering has launched a new Mechatronics Bachelor of Engineering degree. The program integrates multiple engineering disciplines to prepare students to use advances in AI to solve complex, real-world programs. Students can enrol in the first-year block model option to focus on one course at a time and will be able to connect with upper year students who act as mentors. Two mandatory work terms and optional co-op terms are also included in the program to provide hands-on learning opportunities. “The goal of mechatronics is to provide the necessary technical background so that any graduate is well prepared for that, but also providing the soft skills, work and life experiences that will make them well suited for careers in industry,” said YorkU Mechatronics Program Director Michael Jenkin.

The Fédération québécoise des professeures et professeurs d’université has submitted a petition to the National Assembly of Québec. Pointing to reports that demonstrate declining academic freedom and other issues in higher education around the world, FQPPU asserts that action must be taken to restore the university to its role as a place of free thought and debate. The petition urges the public to “Relight the Beacon” and rally in defence of five key pillars: public funding, academic freedom, collegiality, institutional autonomy, and resistance to the commodification of knowledge.

Colleges and universities must shift their marketing strategies from demographic targeting to experience-driven messaging to connect with today’s diverse learners, argues Gregory Balmir (Florida Atlantic University). In a recent conversation on the Illumination Podcast, Balmir called for inclusive, intentional messaging to foster student feelings of belonging—a key driver of persistence and engagement. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling that communicates transformation, not just transaction, and encourages marketers to use data to validate empathy and adapt messaging over time. “The future of higher education communication lies in balancing empathy with intelligence,” Balmir writes. “Institutions that listen deeply to their students, measure meaningfully, and adapt courageously will thrive.”

The Université du Québec à Montréal has announced the launch of the new Clinique universitaire de santé globale, a university clinic focused on global health. The university clinic will bring together a variety of physical health, psychological, and social services in one accessible, centralized location. UQAM students will be able to develop their knowledge and skills under the guidance of teaching staff and other professionals, while serving the community. The clinic will open in 2026 in Montréal’s Quartier Latin neighbourhood.